Rifle-grenade



D. L. BRITTEN.

RIFLE GRENADE.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY I5, IsIII.

PaIenI-d sept. 16, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

DANIEL L. BRITTEN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

RIFLE- GRENADE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 16, 1919.

Application led July 15, 1918. Serial No. 244,855.'

Zo all whom z't-may concern.'

j Be itvknown lthat I, DANIEL L. BRrrrEN, a citizen of the United- States, residing at c/o The Haddam, 10510 Euclid ave., city of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rifle-Grenades, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention pertains to a rifle grenade or explosive projectile adapted to be discharged from a suitable container detachably carried at the muzzle of a service riiie. As developed by the exigencies of the war now waging so-called rifle grenades have assumed a size of about two inches in diameter, are formed with a central bore purposed to come in line with the rifle barrel and to permit the passage of the b ullet therethrough. The latter, after passing through the bore, impinged against a device adapted to fire a time -fuse usually of seven seconds burning duration which in turn set off a detonator and thus caused the chemical transformation of the explosive charge, usually at about the limit of the effective range of from 200 to 225 yards. The results obtained by the use of riie grenades, as heretofore constructed, has been very effective for the rather limit-ed range when discharged and exploded precisely as calculated.

In consequence of my observation of the oflicial tests at Government proving fields I became aware, however, of two features which call for improvement. One was a needless limitation of range and the other was an ever present danger of premature explosion. The range was obviously reduced owing to the escape of some of the explosive gases through the central tube of the grenade which inevitably meant a correspondingly reduced effective pressure againstthe base of the grenade. Owing to impossibility of always having the central tube of the grenade in per ect alinement with the rifle barrel at the moment of firing the cartridge therein, the high velocity bullet sometimes impinged, or at least rubbed against, the .inner wall of such tube -f to about 300 yards.

and in a number of instances with suii-- cient violence to cause the grenade to ex. plode prematurely within a few yards of the muzzle of the rifle which with a full War -time load would cause most unfortunate .ing proportion'to the relative enlargement of the base of the grenade with reference to the caliber of the rie,vcan"be utilized. I estimate that the range of the'grenade when using the same powder charge as that of the present service cartridge can be increased Incidentally, a savin is eected in respect to the material o which the #bul-lets are composed, and in respect to the rifle tube through the grenade as heretofore manufactured as well as the necessary machining required to support it in lace. l

dverting to the drawings: Figure I is an elevation of a rifle provided with a discharger tube detachably carried upon the muzzle thereof.

Fig. II is an enlarged view of the muzzle end of a rifle 'barrel and attached discharger showing a rie grenade deposited therein.-

Fig. III is an elevation of a riie grenade embodying my invention.

Fig. IV is a mainly vertical section of Fig. III, certain parts appearing in elevation and showing the interior parts in normal position.

Fig. V is a section on line V--V of Fig. IV looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. VI is a part elevation and part section of a riie grenade embodying my invention, showing the position of the parts at the instant of firing.

A rifle having a barrel 1 provided at its .muzzle with a fereslght 2 carries a relay,-

Y Ya more or less definite number of pieces are c.

be attached to the barrel 1 by a bayonet joint connection at 4 with the sight 2. t

The discharger tube 3 is adapted to 1nclose a riie grenade comprising a hollow body 5 of circular cross-section. Somewhat nearer the base, or rear end of the body 5`, the same is provided with a partition 6. The interior surface of the forward portion of the body 5 .is fashioned with corrugations 7 so that when the grenade bursts assured. On one side of the sli htlytapering forward end or nose the bo y 5 1s p rovided with a loading lug 8 through which an explosive charge o trinitrotoluol (T. N. T.) is to be inserted. D iametrlcally opposite the plug 8 is a balanclng lug 9,

The center of the nose is fashioned withV an opening 10 in line with a similar sized opening 11, formed in the partition 6.0 occupying the holes 10 and 11 with a pressed fit and extending therebetween is a detonator tube 12. Fitted into that end of the detonator tube 12, which is at the partition 6, is a, fusecontainer composed of an outwardly projecting portion 13, an lnterjacent portion 1,4 in te escopic connection with the tube 12 and an opposite' end 15 of still further reduced diameter. Likewise fitted into the hollowed end of the projecting portion 13 is an explosive ,cap 16, while occupying the remainder of the fuse container is a time fuse 17 ordinarily designed to burn within a few seconds. The portion 13 of the fuse container is provided with diametrically opposite vent openings 18 in order to favor the ignition of the fuse 17.

A detonator comprises a copper jacket 19 having its forward end closed and adapte/l to contain a detonating charge 20 held in place some distance from the opposite end by means of a retaining ca 21 which is tightly seated Vwithin the jacket 19 and which cap when sufficiently heated by the burning of the fuse 17 sets off the charge 20. The rear or unfilled end of the jacket 19 is telescopically fitted between the detonator tube 12 and the forward end 15 of the fuse container. By this arrangement the forward or terminal end of the fuse 17 is brought into close proximity to the detonator, as is clearly shown in Fig. IV. Also insertible through the opening 10 is a rubber tightening cup 22 adapted to serve as-a cushion between the closed end of the detonator and the detonator plug 23.

The hollow portion of the grenade body 5 which is located rearwardly of the partition 6 is provided with oppositely disposed vent openings 24. The grenade chamber thus vented is closed nea-r the base of the grenade by a movable forwardly dished striker plate 25 which is formed interiorly with right angularly related and centrally located edges gas check and servin to cause a circling of the discharged gases rom the rifle and therepressure over the area of the striker plate 25. It is for the purpose of contributing to such desirable circling of the gases that the rear side of the plate 25 is concaved. A coiled compression spring 29 surrounds the portion 13 of the fuse container and acts normally to hold the striker plate 25 rearwardly against the lock ring 27. In order, however, to still further insure of the spacing of the edges 26 on the striker plate 25 out of contact with the explosive cap 16 so as to serve as a more nearly absoluts safeguard against premature explosion, I provide a cotter kpin 30 adapted to pass through two pairs of registering openings in the rear end of the body 5 and opposite sides of the striker plate 25. lOne end of the cotter pin is pro vided with an enlarged ring 3.1 by means of which it may be more readily withdrawn.

In rifle grenades heretofore used the detonators were not inserted until just prior to use of the grenade and so far as I am aware this is now being done by themen occupying the trenches. According to my invention the detonator can be seated before the grenades are" distributed to the men who are to use them thereby saving 'time when and where it is a most important object. It is noticed moreover that a rifle enade, constructed according to my invention, cannot be inserted in the discharger tube until the cotter pin 30 has been withdrawn. This guarantees safety in handling the grenade when not in the rifle and also makes certain that the parts are free to operate when the grenade is inserted in the dischar er tube.

While the operation of the ri e grenade hereinbefore described may be obvious the following explanation is furnished. After the cotter pin 30 has been removed the striker plate 25 is nevertheless safely held spaced from the explosive cap 16 owing to the exertion of the spring 29 tending to separate them. Ordinary manipulation is not sufficient to overcome the energy of the spring 29. When the grenade has been inserted in the discharger 3 and a blank cartridge is fired in the rifle the discharge gases will impinge against the striker plate 25 and the pressure established thereagainst will overcome the action of the spring 29 and cause the edges 26 sharply to impinge against the explosive cap 16 thereby firing the fuse 17 Vby assure a more uniform vapplication ofY at the moment that the grenadeis propelled by the "explosive gases issuing from the muzzle of a rifle and having a hollow rear end, a striker plate movably fitted to, 'and wholly -coniined by said rear end, said plate being concaved in a forward direction whereby to cause a circling of and more form application of pressure by the discharge gases.

2. A hollow rifle grenade adapted to be propelled in its entirety and includingat its rear an interiorly positioned striker plate adapted to partition off the rear portion of the purpose specified.

said grenade `and to form in conjunction therewith a rearwardly presented recess for 3. A rifle grenade comprisin. a hollow casing, provided with a closing ase wholly confined by and adapted lformovement with- -in said casing and means for holding said base in a given position.

4. A riie grenade comprlsing a hollow..

casing having its rear end open, a striker plate movably fitted therein, and distlnct i means for limiting the movement of said plate in opposite directions respectively.

5. A rifle grenade comprisin a hollow casing, a base movably supporte therein, ya

spring acting to hold said base in its rear-.

most position and additional means'for locking said base in such position.

6. A rifle grenade adapted to be propelled from a discharger of given bore comprising a hollow casing adapted to fitsaid bore and containing an explosive charge, a detonator, a time fuse and an explosive cap, a striker plate movably fitted between the walls of' said casing so as to closely approach the size thereof, said plate provided interiorly with a projection adapted to engage said explosive cap and an interiorly positioned `spring normally acting to hold said plate and cap apart.

7. A rifle grenade comprising ahollow casing, an explosive charge therein, a movable striker plate fitted in its entirety to they interior wall of said casing and -a device for setting off said explosive charge and including elements adapted to be brought into engagement upon actuation of said base member.

8. A rifle grenade comprising a hollow casing of circular cross section and having its entire rear end open, an explosive charge in said casing, a movable striker plate fitted in such end, means for limiting the movement of said plate toward the end of said casing, a device for setting off said explosive charge, including elements adapted to be brought into engagement upon actuation of said base member away from such casing end and means for locking said base member in a given position.

9. A rie grenade comprising a hollow casing provided withl a partition, a striker platel closing-the rear end of sa/id grenade and movable toward and awayA from said partltion, and means normally coacting to hold said plate a predetermined distance rcm said partition for the purpose speci- 10. Ariiie grenade comprising a hollow casing provided with a partition, astriker `determined distancefrom vsaid partition said plate being adapted to engage and ire said element, andl a safety device for xing said plate in a given position. y 11. A rifle grenade comprising a hollow 90 casing'provided with a partition, a striker 'platea closing the rear end of said grenade and movable toward and yaway from said partition, explosive agencies within said cas-l ing including an explosive cap between said' 95 partition and plate and some distance from said partition, a spring` normally coacting to hold said plate a predetermined'distance fromsaid cap, said plate being adapted to engage and fire said cap while leaving a free space behind said partition to aid combustion.

12. A hollow rifle grenade formed intermediately of its ends with a vpartition and carrying at its rear end an internally pro` 105 jectin part, an explosive cap carried by the si e of said partition :nearest such part,

a striker plate movable between said cap and part and means for holding the latter against said part. I v

13. A hollow ri'le grenade carrying a partition and in its rear end a movable striker plate, a spring acting to press said plate .from said partition, explosive means vincluding parts upon said partition and plate adapted to engage, and a Cotter pin for locking said plate out of such engaging position.

14,'A rifle grenade comprising a hollow casing, a partition thereacross having an opening, a fuse container projecting through .12 said opening, a striker platemovably carried inside of the rear end of said casing and provided interiorly thereof with a firing projection and agencies including a time fuse in said container and an explosive charge forwardly of said partition adapted to be fired by the movement of said base.

15. A rifle grenade comprisingV a hollow casing havingA a partition, a striker plate movably carried inside of said casing 'and'130 at the rear end thereof, said plate being provided interiorly of said casing with a firing projection, a fuse container centrally supported by said partition and projecting rearwardly thereof, and agencies including a time fuse in said container, explosive charge forwardly of said partition and explosive cap at such projecting end of said container, said cap adapted to be red by the engagement therewith of said projection whereby to light said fuse and after a predetermined time interval to set off said exlosive charge, said projecting end of said use container beingl fashioned with vents whereby to favor free combustion in `the space afforded between said partition and plate at the time of firing said cap and use.

16. A rie grenade having a hollow rear end, and including a striker plate completely confined by and bodily movable in an axial dlrection within said hollow rear end whereby a recessis provided serving to cause a clrcling of the discharged gases.

1 7. A rifle grenade comprising a hollow caslng, and a striker plate across its rear end,

said plate being bodily movable in its entirety within said casing and a predetermined Ydistance away from the rear end thereof for the purpose specified.

Signed by me, this 9th day of July, 1918.

DANIEL L. BRITTEN. 

